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Thursday, January 12, 2012

So, recently I've been using this blog to share my thoughts on life, God, Jesus and everything that goes with them. Yeah, I've made this my personal blog. My original intent was to share the happenings of WCM with you. And I have.

But since not much has been happening with WCM lately, I've been writing personal ramblings on here. So, I've decided to write a blog where I can post my thoughts on life and Christianity and leave this blog for WCM.

Saturday, December 31, 2011

I’m reflecting over the last 12
months as the last few hours wind down for 2011. It was a good and difficult
year. I don’t even remember January 1st, 2011.

In January, I worked for a company as a temp-to-hire and I actually
loved my job. But they thought I just wasn’t the right fit. It was quite
discouraging. Not quite the way I’d envisioned starting off 2011.

We went through a lot of culture
shock during January and February. We missed West Texas. We missed home. A lot.

February through April brought more discouragement as I continued to
look for permanent full-time employment. In the meantime, we celebrated
Valentine’s with the church having fun and great fellowship.

In March we went to Lubbock for the 2008
AIM class graduation. It was good to see friends and my sister. We really
missed them. A lot.

I began working for a boy’s group
home in April and was met with some
difficult challenges dealing with some emotionally distressed boys (not to
mention growing into teen-hood!). It was rewarding some days getting to talk
with the boys about Jesus, baptism and living a life for God. Other days I
wondered if I was making a difference at all. And I was told by a co-worker
that she loved that I lived like a Christian--especially in the midst of being at a difficult job.

Thanks. Really, I needed to hear
that. Really.

We also had a chili cook-off
hosted by the Grass Valley Church. Steve contributed a Texas Rattlesnake Chili
that was purdy tasty, if you ask me! It was a sweet and spicy chili. I think he
should have won in the top 3 for at least one of the categories. But alas, he
didn’t. Until that Sunday morning, one of the judges presented Steve the award
of Most Unusual and Unique Chili! I was proud! Most people liked it!

Pepperdine Lectureships in May in Malibu, California attending
classes and being encouraged by the wonderful works that are going on around
the world. It’s always good to be reminded of what God’s doing, especially when
we feel like we can’t see what’s going on. That helps me to be motivated and
encouraged… at least just having a glimpse. I know that we can’t always know
what God’s up to, but it helps me to keep walking with optimism.

Being the realist (aka pessimist,
aka dream squasher and ruiner) that I am, having hope has been difficult for me
this year given all the disappointments I’ve encountered. I don't mean to be a dream squasher or surprise ruiner. Sometimes with my mind spinning I think about things and point out to others how practically speaking, some things just won't be effective. And I often ruin surprises (usually meant for me) because I notice oddities here and there and innocently ask about them. No really, I'm innocent. No, really. I am.

And yet my sister
reminded me that I was living as if I believe that God wasn’t powerful enough
to provide for me. I believed in the truth of that statement that God can do anything. But lacking in hope and faith that God would take care of what
I was asking for was putting limitations on an unlimited God. That was a good needed
kick to my rear.

In June, we drove to see my family in Washington. We spent the days
tending to my dad’s garden, fishing and talking about the Bible and God. On our
way back, we stopped in Astoria, Oregon, where I was born and lived until I was
8. It was weird to see that old house. It looks smaller than I remember. It has
since been boarded up and probably condemned. But I had some good memories
there!

We attended the Tahoe Family
Encampment in July. It’s always good
to be refreshed by the saints you haven’t seen in a while! And the view was
nice!

July and August for me
meant work, which equaled stress. The longer I worked there, the more stressed
I was becoming. But Steve was faithful to pray for me and encourage me. My
shoulder was fractured in August (the same one that was fractured in my horse
accident in January 2010) due to a work related incident. After that, I decided
to quit. As much as I know those boys needed to hear about Jesus and see Jesus
lived out, I couldn’t do it anymore. My emotional stress level was so high that
I didn’t eat much, even when I wasn’t working. And I’d cry a lot before I went
to work. A friend told me about a work from home job, so as soon as I had that
lined up, I quit at the boy’s home. It was hard because even with the boy’s
difficult attitudes, I did enjoy them—sometimes. But I sure do enjoy working
from home! That was definitely a blessing!

In August we moved up to Grass Valley. Before that we were living with
Steve’s parents about 80 minutes south of Grass Valley, called Rescue. We’d
been looking for a house to buy while saving up some money. But we’d decided to
rent until we could buy. But the housing market up here just doesn’t have what
we want in our price range. So, we’re still renting while we’re waiting. Our
realtor is great! I’d recommend her to anyone!

My good friend, Katrina, and her
4 kids came to visit. We spent the time gold panning, seeing California gold
history and just enjoying a refreshing time together—all of us in our studio
apartment. Did I mention that we moved into a studio apartment? No? Well, it
was like a huge slumber party, Steve said.

I can’t think of anything
memorable in September. Oh wait! I
had a birthday! But it wasn’t memorable. I’m one of those that most years I don’t
really care to celebrate my birthday. Maybe just with family and a few friends.
Steve’s parents came up and we had a good time with them. Steve took me out to dinner
and it was all around a quiet day.

Oh, yeah! And my good friend,
Amy, flew me to Houston for the week for her birthday in September. It was good
to be able to see her and spend time with her. I miss my friends in Texas.

I think we even had the college
retreat somewhere in here. I just can’t remember what month it was. But it was
good to get to know Ken, who hosted the event at his house. I love how the
church supports each other! We read about the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in the
3 synoptic gospels, gleaning from His wisdom and experience.

We spent a lot of weekends with
Steve’s family in October—birthdays,
pumpkin picking, gold panning. No, we didn’t strike it rich. With gold selling
at over $1000 an ounce, it’s possible!

We also took the high school
youth on a retreat for a weekend in October. It’s good to get to know the teens
in a different environment and continue building relationships with them.

Steve’s brother, Jon, hosted Thanksgiving
was in November for the Melton
family. It was a blessed event. We got to take the leftover turkeys home and
made lots of great dishes with leftovers! Turkey pot pie, turkey soup, turkey buffalo
wings, turkey broth, turkey quesadillas…

December came and went so fast. My friend, Katrina’s, grandma
passed away suddenly. So, we drove the 4 hours to help out in the few days
before the funeral. Aside from the loss, it was good to spend time with them.

We spent Christmas with my family
in Washington. It was good. My dad didn’t want to put up the Christmas tree
(because he didn’t want to be the one to take it down), so we used a huge
plant! And it worked well! We went fishing with my brother and nephew and didn’t
catch anything. I got my bacon press that I’d been wanting. My dad thought I’d
sent him on a wild goose chase because he couldn’t find it in most of the
stores he went to looking for one. He’d thought I was making it up! Nope! It’s
for real!

We came home, and the next day
drove an hour to have coffee with our friend and current AIM student, Sarah
Harris, and her sister, Katie. Sarah’s from the Tahoe area and was home for
Christmas. We got to spend a couple of hours with them before Sarah headed back
to her field in Miami, Florida. I always love hearing how God is working
through them!

Then today, the last day of the year, we spent most of the day with Steve’s
family exchanging presents with them while making memories. I’m not a big fan of
Christmas because of the strong commercialism and materialism I feel retailers
promote. However, those opinions aside, my favorite part is watching other
people opening their presents. I don’t really care about getting stuff for
myself (although I do enjoy my presents!). And we’re on a tight budget so we
couldn’t afford to give much this year. But we’ve loved the time we were able
to spend with those we did!

And throughout the year, Steve’s
been teaching the youth class and filling in preaching when needed. We’ve had youth
devos at various youth member’s houses and gotten to know some of the families
in the church a little more.

The Wednesday evening church
assembly was postponed until further notice as late fall was approaching and
the skies were darkening earlier. (Not very many people were coming). Steve and
I were a part of the youth classes teaching and facilitating discussions. (The
guys and girls were separate on Wednesday nights at their requests). I was kind
of sad to see it end for now. Hopefully, as the days are getting longer people
will start coming again!

So, with Wednesday evenings “free”,
we started driving to Auburn (about 45 minutes away) to participate in a small group
with some church members who live there. It’s been an encouraging experience
being with them!

West Coast Missions has been put
on hold pending finding another family to come here to be a part of WCM full
time. Earlier this year we all recognized that we need more help. So, until
that lucky couple can be found (and willing to step out on faith, pick up their
roots and move here), we’re waiting.

To sum up this year for me in one
word would be discouraging.But 2011 had it's shining moments--some good laughs. So, reflecting on the last 12 months, I’ve also seen how God has been faithful to
provide for us at every moment through friends and family. Through words of
encouragement. Through words of rebuke. Through words of comfort and peace.

Yep, our God is awesome! Although
I hate big changes and unmet expectations, God is still growing me and
presenting me with opportunities to grow! And some days it's still tough to make the most of those opportunites... and then I get a card in the mail that reminds me to have hope and persevere that God will provide a way to make things work. I just need to keep walking by faith one step at a time.

And I think those are plenty of good things to work on and I believe
that God will do good things through me and to me this year! So, as I end the year munching on homemade potato chips using my new Kitchen Aide slicer my brother-in-law, Dan, gave me, I contemplate the end of just another chapter in my life--a chapter where God has used me beyond my knowledge to shine the light of Jesus to others during my struggling times and he has used others to shine their light for me to see that I may be reminded of how good and awesome he is.

And if the world
does end in 2012, then I’m just happy to be going home!

For God works out all things for the good of those who love him and
who are called according to his purpose.—Romans 8:28

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Thanksgiving is now just a fading memory. Christmas is over. And the new year is quickly approaching. January 1, 2012 will be just another day~well, another Sunday anyways.

And so, 2012 is rapidly approaching. The year the world is supposed to end according to some Mayan calendar. I guess that's who predicted it.

And well, maybe there's some truth to that. Because it will be a different world in 2012 just as each day is a different day. The world our grandparents knew when they were children is a different world than we know it today. Technology didn't exist then as it does now. Lifestyles were different. Diet was different. So many things have come into existence that have greatly affected the "look" of this world.

The horse and buggy died sometime after cars were invented.

The internet has revolutionized communication, shopping and information gathering.

Facebook changed the definition of friend.

Facebook, twitter and texting have affected social skills of today's younger generation.

Coffee can still be taken black with or without sugar... but we have so many more choices now!

Homosexuality is an accepted lifestyle practice.

Christianity seems to be vastly more criticized today than decades ago.

I don't know when the world is going to "end" and when Jesus is coming back. Scripture doesn't clearly state that. And I don't know exactly how that's going to happen. But what I do know is this:

We have an eternal hope

Jesus is coming back for His followers

We will get to meet Him

We will get to be with Him forever

And that is worth being encouraged and encouraging others!

~I Thessalonians 4:13-18

And so with all the adversity, transitions, trials and difficulties we may have faced this year (because everyone has them), those are all behind us. We can't change the past, but live in the present and look forward to the hope of the future blessings to come~the hope of Jesus taking us to heaven!

And that keeps me walking by faith.

And so, as 2011 closes and 2012 enters in I will probably go to sleep before midnight on December 31 and wake up on January 1 like it is any regular day~ because it is.

And I will still thank God for his blessings as I assemble with the church that Sunday as I patiently wait for His return to come get me!

ABOUT STEVE AND JEWEL

We have been married for almost 4 years now and have worked in ministry together for 6 years, 4 of which we have worked more closely in various ministries given to us by past church and ministry leaderships. We enjoy what we do for God's Kingdom. We couldn't think of a better place to be or a better thing to be doing than serving the Lord in this way with West Coast Missions.